The RTA Waterfront Line is an extension of an existing rapid transit system that originates in downtown Cleveland. The line travels through the entertainment district (The "Flats") along the Cuyahoga River and ends at North Coast Harbor, north of downtown.

The three stations were designed to be:

1. Responsive/contextual to their individual sites

2. Command presence

3. Reflect a new attitude about the transit system that could be celebrated and built for Cleveland's Bicentennial (1996).

SETTLERS LANDING STATION

The Settlers Landing Station is designed to provide great views of the bustling Cuyahoga River and an enhanced Settlers Landing Park. This station is located next to the Detroit/Superior Bridge in the Flats entertainment district.

The design of both Flats stations (Settlers & Main Avenue) draws upon the locales rich transportation history, where trains and boats were primary movers of people and industry. The Settlers Landing Station is within eyesight of both the (defunct) Erie Railroad Station/Depot and the B & O Railroad Station. Both stations in their glory days boasted beautiful brick buildings and intricate cast-iron structured canopies. These canopies (tripartite roof and ornate tracery) ultimately became the "parti" to which these new stations evolved.

At Settlers Landing, the station canopy structure nestles underneath the Detroit/Superior Bridge, in response to the massive arched opening, to which it slides into (or out of). The curvelinear shape expresses a biomorphic tree-like quality that recalls Cleveland's "Forest City" past, while the structure also has an abstracted Victorian presence.

The white-painted steel structure and blue/green laminated glass (cover) coloration of the station was to provide a high contrast against the muted earth tones of the areas buildings and landscape. This design is consistent throughout the Waterfront Line Stations.

MAIN AVENUE STATION

The elegant curvelinear profile at Settlers Landing Station is contrasted at the Main Avenue Station with a dynamic, steel-cabled structure. This station, in the shadow of the massive Main Avenue Bridge, will serve as a beacon to Flats visitors at night. The glass and steel canopy is designed to provide a distinct architectural image relative to its surrounding nineteenth century industrial buildings and the area's history of shipbuilding. In reference to Cleveland's pioneering lighting history, this station's canopy will be colorfully illuminated at night. The two integrated catenary poles also incorporate lantern-light fixtures that will enhance the lighting of the Main Avenue Bridge.

The Flats Stations are abstractions of Cleveland's past and future. The commonality between the two, steel and glass, create a dialogue that adds continuity to a rich history of transportation architecture for the Flats.

THE EAST NINTH STREET STATION

The East Ninth Street Station is located just west of the East 9th Street Bridge and within the North Coast Harbor District. The station is designed to provide great views of the lakefront and downtown Cleveland. Two glass and steel prismatic forms, flanking the East 9th Street Bridge, will serve as the station entrances. The design intent was to create an entry portal to North Coast Harbor and frame views toward both the city and the lake. The main headhouse, at track level, also has a strong, angular geometry that has become the North Coast Harbor "vocabulary". This building contains waiting, ticketing, security and informational areas. This station incorporates translucent, laminated, tempered-glass and white-painted steel, which is common to the Flats Station and the museums at the North Coast.

In summary, the three stations are contextual to their individual sites, command presence and reflect a new attitude about the transit system, built as a Cleveland Legacy Project for its bicentennial.

THEWEST THIRD STREET STATION

This Station was added to provide connection to the New Cleveland Browns Stadium and resembles the profile of a football helmet.